Hawking died at his Cambridge, England home, many years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1963. His best-selling book, A Brief History of Time, sold 10 million copies and arguably secured his status as a global celebrity. Actor Eddie Redmayne starred in the 2014 movie, The Theory of Everything, about Hawking's dynamic life, and walked away with an Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of the genius.